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Dodgers Avoid Series Sweep For Win

San Francisco, CA – Madison Bumgarner has won each of his last three starts against the Dodgers. But today the tables were turned on the southpaw who gave up the two runs needed for LA to beat the Giants 2-1 to avoid the series sweep.

Bumgarner struck out six in 4 1/3 innings proving he had a good outing. But he lost his way in the second when the Dodgers scored their first run. He walked Scott Van Slyke, surrendered a single to Juan Uribe and a RBI single to Tim Federowicz. LA hadn’t been successful scoring the runs needed to win during this series but did today.

“I feel like I made some pretty good pitches there,” said Bumgarner. “It didn’t work out in our favor today. I’m not trying to change what I do, I’m trying to make pitches and think I did a decent job of it.”

“Our starter did a good job, we just didn’t have it offensively,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “A little frustration getting pitches to the outside of the plate, for some reason the outside corner was tough for him today.”

After Bumgarner was pulled in the fifth, Yusmerio Petit came in and forced Yasiel Puig to fly out to right field. Adrian Gonzalez then singled on a ground ball to right field scoring in Van Slyke who doubled to lead off the frame. Puig’s defense in right field proved costly for San Francisco.

“The first play hit me on the thumb but luckily I was able to make the play at second,” Puig said through a translator. “I was very prepared for the second and thank God I was able to make the catch on such a tremendous hit.”

The Giants had a chance in the second to drive in a run but Brandon Hicks flew into a force out to right field. Puig dropped the fly ball but threw it in time for the out at second. The next play Gregor Blanco’s line drive went over Puig’s head and he was able to make the catch on an unbelievable play to end the inning.

By the fourth, Bumgarner loaded the bases when Van Slkye hit a double and intentionally walked Uribe. He then walked Federowicz but struck out both Hyun-Ryu and Dee Gordon to end the inning. However, when Justin Turner led off the fifth with a double that was enough for Bochy who brought in the bullpen.

“Three tight games that could’ve gone either way,” said Bochy. “We got some guys who aren’t swinging the bat well, but they’ll come around.”

Pinch-hitter Ehire Adrianza’s RBI single in the ninth gave San Francisco their first run in the game and cut the lead in half. He recorded a career-high three hits today becoming the first Giant to record at least three hits in a game after coming off the bench since Nate Schierholtz did on April 9, 2011.

“I knew out of Spring Training, this would be my role to play once and a while,” Adrianza said. “I have to be ready and study all day, the pitchers and know what that they throw.”